Note to Self

           ALWAYS use Umpqua Appliance.  NEVER go with Sears!

It’s been less than four years since we purchased our 32’wide refrigerator. I don’t know how old our fridge is.  We bought it new – but who knows how long it was in the warehouse/showroom before we picked it out.  We had an option of three that would fit into the provided space in our kitchen. 

About two or three months ago there seemed to be a large build up of frost in our freezer.  We’d get an obnoxious humming sound and then the refrigerator stopped putting out cold.  We’ve had milk spoil because of it.  A Sears did fix our fridge – temporarily.  For a handsome price.  Eventually the frost and hum returned. 

Then I remembered having used Sears appliance when we lived in Kearns.  The guy that came to fix our furnace ended up turning it off and walking away.  It was dang cold!  What was he thinking?  What was I thinking?  It’s like their motto is: “Just get the money.  You don’t even have to do anything.”

We had purchased a fridge at a yards ale for only $5.00 (see here).  It lasted for eight years and going (we eventually donated it to another) Now that was a magnificent deal.

Umpqua Appliance is great.  I don't know how I missed finding them in the first place. Our technician, Christopher is very honest.  He explained what was happening, how to fix it,  how to maintain ourselves to avoid future repair.  He said should last us another ten years.  I will definitely be calling them again! Well, not for the fridge but for another appliance perhaps.

They Call Me Mary Cooper

          Young Sheldon is a spin-off CBS’s popular TV series Big Bang Theory starring Jim Parson as Sheldon Cooper.  Young Sheldon is also narrated by Jim Parson who explains further about himself and his family.  His mom is Mary Cooper, a very religious woman who often turns to God and encourages her children to do the same.  I, too, encourage others to allow God to be a part of their lives by thanking Him or asking Him for assistance.  For example we each had a chaotic day yesterday though I think Claire and Biff had more unexpectancies to deal with.

         One of our lights had busted at the front of our car – we don’t even know when or how but finally got around to asking someone to look at it.  We had an appointment for yesterday.  Richard was going to take it in and have me follow – only the other car wouldn’t start.  We tried starting it on our own a few times before we said a prayer.  Biff pulled into the driveway.  An answer.  I pulled the Nissan out of the driveway.  Biff and Richard pushed the Saturn next to Biff’s car and Biff was able to give the car a jump.

         We were on the freeway on our way to Roseburg when Claire called to report that the bottom freezer had gone out and our refrigerator wasn’t working properly.  Richard and I had already looked at other fridges – problem is they have all been too wide for the allotted amount of space that we have for a refrigerator.  Looking at fridges was a much better time than cleaning out product and transferring whatever was salvable but ended up throwing a lot of food in the trash.  I don’t even know how much.  I think an entire garbage bag.

         Their initial plan was to go to the DMV to change their expired plates – something they should have done three months ago, but it obviously hasn’t been a priority.  Tough that was their intention they were unable to find the title to the car.  I suggested that they pray and invite the Lord to help them.  Whether they did or not, I don’t know.  I did.  But I think my prayers may not work by themselves but they also need to let him in.

         Richard was all set on buying a fridge.  Because of the size we need, we are quite limited with our choices.  As I had suggested Biff and Clair pray about the title I thought it only right that we pray about the decision on the fridge.  Biff loaded the dishwasher with all the used containers and other dirty dishes and washed and dried a load of laundry that I had left on top of the machines.  They were definitely busy. 

         I thanked them both for all they had done.  We ended up calling the appliance store for the fridge we didn’t find as appealing as the one we’d rather have but felt guided to go that way.  Also another expense that we didn’t want – but at least we don’t need to get a plumber which seemed to be the solution when we encountered a flood on Saturday night/Sunday morning.  I thought we would need to call a plumber come Monday but it was taken care of.  We are truly blessed.

         Anyway, because I always ask others if they had prayed about whatever, Jaime has dubbed me as Mary Cooper.  I should feel honored.

We Are SO BLESSED

          A couple of months ago the light between the closets had gone out.  Richard changed the bulb to a brand new bulb that would blink on occasion until finally it went out leaving us to believe that it had something to do with the wiring.  Finding those that repair (such as electricians, plumbers, etc) is like pulling teeth.  Even before the gas price increase, it seemed a difficult task to find someone committed enough to come. 

          After two months Richard climbed up the latter to check what might be the source of the problem.  He had me turn off all the electricity.  Apparently it was the bulb.  How blessed were are that it was something simple.

          Next problem.  We were no longer receiving hot water through our taps.  How can that be?  Well the house is over 20 years old and the hot water heater is probably the same hot water heater that came with the house. We weren’t thrilled with the idea of replacement but knew it would/will have to be done eventually.  Two days without hot water and realized when all the switches had gone off for the electric – there was one that was missed when we switched back on.  Simple fix.  How blessed were are.

          The fridge has been a problem for some time now – with constant scraping of ice build-up and added feature of door not sealing properly.  It is over ten years old and has been moved from house to house – I thought that may have added to the problem.  We have looked into replacing the fridge.  The problem is the space for the fridge is smaller than the new fridges we have been looking at.  And it doesn’t seem feasible to try and widen the space. 

          Richard saw an advertisement for Umpqua Appliance and we called them to come out.  It wasn’t an outrageous expense and we were given many options on how to save money.  It is so nice to have the freezer part working again.  How blessed were are that it was something simple.

          On Saturday morning I took a shower.  Richard and I went to the temple and came home to a leaky driveway.  Neither one of us noticed the leak until later.  Weekend.  We didn’t know where the leak was even coming from.  We left our number with every plumber we could find.  We ended up turning off the water and calling Tri-City Water to ask if they could investigate.  We were told about a plumber who we hadn’t contacted as the name did not come up in our research – but Yeager’s Plumbing came out right away and replaced a tiny plastic part that had somehow dammed the water over time and had finally broken off.  The leak happened beneath the drain of the shower.

          Richard and I had both predicted that we would have to replace all the pipes.  He was thinking 4,000 dollars and I was thinking 7,000.  But we have been told we’re good to go though we should really contact our insurance and ServicePro to dry up the water that has accumulated under the house.  The damage is not as bad as we had anticipated.  How blessed were are that it the expense was in the hundreds rather than the thousands.